Cong rejects, contradicts RED CE
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 29 2022:
Out-rightly rejecting and tearing into the clarification of Chief Engineer of Rural Engineering Department against allegations of misappropriation of PMGSY funds, the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has invited the Minister concerned and Chief Secretary for a joint inspection of various projects in hill districts.
In a press conference called by the MPCC today, its senior spokespersons asserted that the clarification issued by Chief Engineer Panfishing Thaimei on allegations the party levelled was 'misleading' and 'lame' .
It may be noted that the MPCC earlier had claimed that there have been 'irregularities' in the execution of various PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana) projects including the Galkapkot-Gamhui, Noney-Nungnang and Tupul-Charoi Chagotlong roads.
The MPCC had claimed that a team led by its president K Meghachandra had inspected some of the projects and found them incomplete and riddled with irregularities.
The press conference today was attended by MPCC vice president Hareshwar Goshwami and vice chairman Ningombam Bupendra Meitei.
Claiming to have exposed PMGSY scams, the senior spokespersons of the MPCC outrightly rejected the clarification of the Chief Engineer Rural Engineering Department.
They claimed that Chief Engineer Thaimei had given COVID-19 pandemic, heavy rainfall in the hill areas, landslides and Court cases due to land acquisition etc as the cause for untimely completion of projects at Tamenglong.
"These are all lame excuses".
If COVID-19 was there, why were the authorities concerned not asked for extension of time.
Further, if no work was executed due to COVTD-19, then how were huge funds drawn without works.
It is ironic that at the time of drawing money there was no COVID-19.Also, it is a well-known fact that Tamenglong is a rainy area where landslides are frequent.
It is not unpredictable, the spokespersons said.
On using the issue of land acquisition as an excuse, the MPCC spokespersons said, "It is well-known fact that no work can be started without settlement of land acquisition procedures".
On receiving a complaint from Gangte Tribe Council, MPCC team led by its president K Meghachandra had visited Thanlon sub-division of Churachandpur district on October 31 wherein they found the Galkapkot to Gamhui road not completed as claimed to have been.
Next month, on November 22, a team of MPCC had also visited the work sites of Noney to Nungnang and Tupul to Charoi Chagotlong roads under Nungba TD Block of Noney district and these visits led to discovery of "huge scams", the spokespersons said.
They claimed that there is hardly any development on ground at Noney-Nungnang road.
There is a need for a deep inquiry into the execution of works of the three PMGSY roads.
The total fund for Noney to Nungnang PMGSY project is Rs 14.63 crore while that of Tupul to Charoi Chagotlong is Rs 18.98 crore.
The fund for Galkapkot to Gamhui road is Rs 8.29 crore, they said.
The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee is intending to organise a joint visit at the sites before December 10, the spokespersons said inviting all authorities concerned.
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) will invite the Minister concerned, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, officials, engineers, contractors, hill leaders, civil bodies, media and all stakeholders.
The proposed joint inspection is in the interest of the people and to expose PMGSY scams in the hill districts, they said.
Comment
